Synchronized skating

Marigold IceUnity

Synchronized skating or synchronised skating, is a large and fast-growing discipline of figure skating where 8–20 (the number of skaters on a team depends on the level) skaters skate on ice as a team, moving as one flowing unit at high speeds.^[1] The discipline was originally called precision skating in North America because of the emphasis on maintaining precise formations and timing of the group.

Details

The Haydenettes, the 21-time US Synchronized Skating National Champions

For a synchronized team to flow in unison, individual skaters must be competent at a variety of skating skills, including speed, footwork and ice presence. The team performs a program set to music, with required formations including circles, lines, blocks, wheels, and intersections. The teams are required to perform step sequences involving a number of various turns such as twizzles, counters and rockers and simpler turns like three-turns, mohawks and choctaws. In Junior and Senior divisions, teams are required to perform two different routines: a short program and a free skating program. Generally, the short program is more technical in nature, where the free skating is longer and provides an opportunity to showcase expression, emotion and interpretation. Teams in the senior division are also permitted to perform lifts in the free skating program including pair lifts where the lifted skater may not be lifted overhead, as well as group lifts consisting of three or more skaters which can be extended overhead to full arm height in a variety of positions.

A synchronized routine may consist of straight line sequences, wheels, blocks, circle step sequences, or also moves in isolation. Moves in isolation are when one or more skaters separates from the rest of the group and performs freestyle type moves. For example, three skaters may separate and go into sit spins, while the rest of the team is in a circle formation. The three skaters will then join the group again and carry on with the routine. Junior and Senior programs also include moves in the fields where the whole team does moves such as spirals, spread eagles or ina bauers connected.

Required elements:^[2]

• No Hold Block: The no hold block has the same qualities as a regular block. The only difference is that the skaters are not connected in a no hold block.
• Spins: Every skater must spin in unison. Each spin rotate at the same time and have the same number of revolutions. The spin can be performed in a circle, block, or line.
• Pairs Element: This is a free skating move where one skater holds on to another. Different types of pairs element include spins, lifts, and pivots such as death spirals.
• Wheel: For a wheel every skater must rotate around a common center point. There are many different formations that teams an form including a two to five spoke or a parallel wheel. Each spoke (line) of the wheel should be straight and the skaters should be leaning into the center of the wheel. The difficulty of the wheel can be increased by adding footwork, changing the rotational direction of the wheel, or traveling.
• Block: This is an element where the skaters are lined up in at least three parallel lines. Five lines is the maximum a block can have. The block should travel over the entire ice surface. The lines should be straight and evenly spaced. To increase the difficulty of the block teams can add step sequences, pivot the block, or change the configuration.
• Circle: There are many different ways to complete this element. Teams can have one circle, multiple circles, a circle within a circle, or disconnected circle. The circle should be evenly spaced between the skaters and should form a round shape. To increase the difficulty of a circle a team can include step sequences, traveling, and changes of rotational direction.
• Intersection: An intersection is when the skaters skate towards each other in lines and intersect. The intersection can be two lines but can have three or four lines. At the point of intersection skaters could do turns or free skating movements to increase the difficulty. The entry to the intersection can be made more difficult by intersecting from an angle or from a whip.
• Line: There are many different types of lines. Lines can be two parallel lines, one straight line, or a diagonal line. To increase the difficulty the team may pivot the line, change configuration, or incorporate retrogression into the line.
• Movement in Isolation: In this element some of the skaters are isolated from the rest of the team while performing free skating elements such as spins, spirals, lifts, or jumps. The free skating elements must be performed by a minimum of three skaters and a maximum of less than half of the team.
• Moves in the Field: This element is a sequence of movements that must include free skating moves such as spirals, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, and other flowing moves with strong edges, connected with linking steps. It must include at least three different free skating moves.

History

In 1956,^[3] the first synchronized skating team was formed by Dr. Richard Porter, who became known as the 'father of synchronized skating'. The 'Hockettes' skated out of Ann Arbor, Michigan and entertained spectators during intermissions of the University of Michigan Wolverines hockey team. In the early days, precision skating (as it was then called) resembled a drill team routine, or a precision dance company such as The Rockettes.

During the 1970s, the interest for this new sport spawned tremendous growth and development. As each season passed, more and more teams were developing more creative and innovative routines incorporating stronger basic skating skills, new maneuvers and more sophisticated transitions with greater speed, style and agility. Due to the enormous interest in the sport in North America, the first official international competition was held between Canadian and American teams in Michigan in March 1976. With the internationalization of the sport, it has evolved rapidly, with increasing emphasis on speed and skating skills, and "highlight" elements such as jumps, spirals, spins, and lifts that originally were not permitted in competition.

Competitions

International

There are international synchronized skating competitions at the Senior, Junior, and Novice levels (with Senior being the most elite). The International Skating Union held the first official World Synchronized Skating Championships (WSSC) in 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The top junior teams from around the world competed from 2001 to 2012 at the ISU Junior World Challenge Cup (JWCC), held in a different location every year. The JWCC were replaced in 2013 by the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships, to be held biannually.^[4] Other longest-running and major international events attracting elite teams at different levels include the French Cup, Spring Cup, Neuchâtel Trophy, Cup of Berlin, Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy and Prague Cup.

ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships

The ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships (WSSC) are the world championships for synchronized skating. Held since 2000, the WSSC is an annual event organized by the International Skating Union and attracts the most elite teams from around the world to compete. Since the beginning, the top positions have been mainly dominated by Finland and Sweden with seven and six gold medals, respectively. Other major countries include Canada with one gold and the United States with one silver.

Year	Location	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Source
2014	Courmayeur, Italy[5]
2013	Boston, United States	Team Unique	NEXXICE	Haydenettes	[6]
2012	Gothenburg, Sweden	Team Surprise	NEXXICE	Haydenettes	[7]
2011	Helsinki, Finland	Rockettes	Marigold IceUnity	Haydenettes	[8]
2010	Colorado Springs, United States	Rockettes	Marigold IceUnity	Haydenettes	[9]
2009	Zagreb, Croatia	NEXXICE	Team Unique	Team Surprise	[10]
2008	Budapest, Hungary	Rockettes	Team Surprise	NEXXICE	[11]
2007	London, Canada	Team Surprise	Miami University	NEXXICE	[12]
2006	Prague, Czech Republic	Marigold IceUnity	Team Surprise	Rockettes	[13]
2005	Gothenburg, Sweden	Team Surprise	Rockettes	Marigold IceUnity	[14]
2004	Zagreb, Croatia	Marigold IceUnity	Team Surprise	Rockettes	[15]
2003	Ottawa, Canada	Team Surprise	Marigold IceUnity	Les Suprêmes
2002	Rouen, France	Marigold IceUnity	Team Surprise	black ice
2001	Helsinki, Finland	Team Surprise	Rockettes	black ice	[16]
2000	Minneapolis, United States	Team Surprise	black ice	Marigold IceUnity	[17]

ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships

Year	Location	Gold	Score	Silver	Score	Bronze	Score	Source
2013	Helsinki, Finland	Musketeers	183.20	Team Fintastic	183.00	Spartak-Junos	171.56	[18]

ISU Junior World Challenge Cup

Year	Location	Gold	Score	Silver	Score	Bronze	Score	Source(s)
2012	Gothenburg, Sweden	Team Fintastic	171.67	Musketeers	168.76	Les Suprêmes	146.30	[19]
2011	Neuchâtel, Switzerland	Team Fintastic	176.61	Musketeers	175.77	Team Braemar	172.48	[20]
2010	Gothenburg, Sweden	Team Fintastic	192.63	NEXXICE	181.99	Musketeers	178.82	[21][20]
2009	Neuchâtel, Switzerland	Team Fintastic	186.88	NEXXICE	184.32	Musketeers	176.57	[20]
2008	Rouen, France	Team Fintastic	181.18	Gold Ice	161.57	Musketeers	160.01	[20]
2007	Nottingham, Great Britain	Team Fintastic	162.08	Les Suprêmes	159.22	Chicago Jazz	150.32	[22]
2006	Helsinki, Finland	Musketeers	141.61	Team Fintastic	135.66	Chicago Jazz	123.08	[20]
2005	Neuchâtel, Switzerland	Musketeers		Team Mystique		Gold Ice		[20]
2004	Milan, Italy	Musketeers		Team Mystique		Gold Ice		[20]
2003	Kungsbacka, Sweden	Musketeers		Burlington Ice Image		Les Suprêmes		[20]
2002	Zagreb, Croatia	Ice Image		Spartak-Leader		Musketeers		[20]
2001	Neuchâtel, Switzerland	Team Fintastic		Les Suprêmes		Superettes		[20]

Finland

The Finnish member of ISU, the Finnish Figure Skating Association, holds the Finnish Synchronized Skating Championships at the novice, junior and senior levels. Also, it holds two Finnish Championships Qualifiers before the nationals. Since late 1990s, the senior-level battle for the qualifier wins and Finnish Championship—and the ensuing ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships (WSSC) entries—has mainly been fought between three teams from Helsinki, Marigold IceUnity, Rockettes and Team Unique, while a fourth and sometimes a fifth senior team has competed along in the intervening years.

Finnish Senior Championships medalists

Finnish qualifications for the ISU WSSC

Throughout the years, the Finnish senior teams qualifying for the World Championships have been selected based on their performance at the two qualifiers and the national championships. In the season 2012–13, the teams were selected as follows: the Finnish Champion qualified automatically as Team Finland 1 for the WSSC. Team Finland 2 at the WSSC was the team which earned the least points from the first qualifier, the second qualifier and the Finnish Championships. The points equaled the sum of the positions at the three competitions with growing coefficients: the coefficient was 0,3 for the first competition result, 0,5 for the second and 1 for the last.^[30]

United States

In the United States, there are several other recognized age and skill levels. Sanctioned by the USFSA, the divisions include Beginner, Pre-Juvenile, Preliminary, Open Juvenile, Open Collegiate, and Open Adult (the non-qualifying divisions/ the divisions that do not go to Nationals) and Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, Senior, Collegiate, Adult, and Masters (qualifying levels).

ISI (Ice Skating Institute) is another governing body which focuses on a more recreational form of competition and does not have the same divisions as those of the USFSA. Teams can compete in the Tot, Jr. Youth, Youth, Sr. Youth, Teen, Collegiate, Adult, or Master age groups, in any of five categories: Formation, Advanced Formation, Skating, Open Skating, and Dance.^[31]

While most skaters participating in synchronized skating are female, the rules allow mixed-gender teams.

USFSA Senior Championship

The Senior team level consists of 16 skaters. Skaters must be at least 14 years old and have passed the Novice Moves in the Field test.

USFSA Collegiate Championship

The Collegiate team level consists of teams with 12-20 skaters who must be enrolled in a college or degree program as full-time students. Skaters must also have passed the Juvenile Moves in the Field test. It is a Varsity Sport at colleges such as Miami University and Adrian College. Many more have developed club-level collegiate teams without varsity status such as the team at The University of Delaware and the University of Michigan. The Miami University Synchronized Skating Team has been a trailblazer in collegiate synchronized skating, fielding the first completely funded varsity synchronized skating program in the United States, as well as working towards gaining "Synchro" NCAA status in the United States.

Present day

Although not currently an Olympic sport, it has already been reviewed for Olympic eligibility. Fans and participants of this fast-growing discipline have begun to strive for recognition by the rest of the skating and athletic world. In 2007 synchronized skating took one step closer to Olympic contention when it was selected to be part of the Universiade or World University Games as a demonstration sport. Countries from around the world competed in Turin, Italy with Sweden, Finland, and Russia coming out on top.

Synchronized skating has been covered by Skating magazine since the sport's inception.

Judging

The competitive levels of synchronized skating, like those in other disciplines of figure skating, are now judged using the ISU Judging System that was introduced in 2004. Each element is assigned a difficulty level by the technical panel made-up of a technical specialist, assistant technical specialist and a technical controller. Each level of difficulty for a particular element corresponds to a pre-determined base value. The base value is the amount of points that are awarded for an executed element before the grade of execution or any deductions are applied. The base value for every element can be found on the ISU website under ISU Communication 1532, Appendix D. Judges assign a grade of execution from -3 to +3 to each of the elements. Each grade of execution, or GOE, corresponds to a point value. For each element, the highest and lowest GOE values are dropped and the rest are averaged then added to the base value. The sum of all the scores of the elements comprises the Technical Elements score.

A series of five categories comprises the Program Components score. The Program Component score includes the following categories: skating skills, transitions, performance/execution, choreography, and interpretation. Each judge gives a mark for each component. Then a trimmed mean is calculated by dropping the highest and lowest score. The remaining scores are then averaged. The panel’s points for each program component are multiplied by the factors: .8 for the short program, 1.6 for the junior, senior and collegiate free skate and 1.0 for intermediate, novice and adult. The factored results are rounded to two decimal places and added. The sum is the Program Components Score.

The Technical Elements and Program Components scores are then added to form the total segment score. The team with the highest total segment wins the competition. For junior and senior teams that have two programs, the scores of both programs are added together. The team with the highest combined score is the winner. In the event of a tie, the team with the highest free program score wins the competition.

In the United States, the introductory levels of Preliminary, Pre-Juvenile, Open Juvenile, Open Junior, Open Collegiate, and Open Adult are still judged under the 6.0 judging system. These levels can compete at the regional level but cannot qualify for the national championships.

References